as in improvement
an instance of notable progress in the development of knowledge, technology, or skill
Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin was one of medicine's great breakthroughs, for penicillin became the first antibiotic to successfully combat bacterial infections in humans
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Recent Examples of breakthrough
This could be the early echo of a breakthrough, though there will need to be extensive additional studies.
—
Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
This could mean a financial windfall, an intense emotional breakthrough or a shift in a close relationship.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 June 2025
That's what the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia is hoping to accomplish with its latest breakthrough, the beam-down solar reactor.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 23 June 2025
Trump appears to yet hold out some hope of a breakthrough in talks with Iran.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
This could mean a financial windfall, an intense emotional breakthrough or a shift in a close relationship.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 June 2025
That's what the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia is hoping to accomplish with its latest breakthrough, the beam-down solar reactor.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 23 June 2025
Trump appears to yet hold out some hope of a breakthrough in talks with Iran.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough
Noun
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Some of these teams will succeed in navigating this seller’s market and making significant improvements, likely at considerable cost.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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Spending at building material and garden supply stores also saw big drops, suggesting less residential investment in home improvements.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
21 June 2025
Noun
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And while fossil fuels have historically been a flexible, reliable option, equipment backlogs now force developers to reserve gas turbines seven to eight years in advance, so new projects wouldn’t enter service until 2031 or later.—
Chris Hopper,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
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Thanks to advances in training and nutrition, performance and skill levels increased in virtually every sport.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2025
Noun
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Courtesy of PublicAffairs This is just one of the differences that comes up for women seeking allies to support their career advancement.—
Nina Ajemian,
Fortune,
17 June 2025
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The sooner Allen started the clock on his second and third contracts, the quicker the agents could make their coveted return on investments paid in the form of pre-draft training and, in some instances, money advancements before the prospects had played an NFL down.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthrough. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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